Harry Potter, #6
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
by J. K. Rowling
Contents
Chapter 28: Flight of the Prince
Overview
In the chaos after Dumbledore’s death, Harry pursues Snape and the fleeing Death Eaters through a battle-torn Hogwarts and into the grounds. Snape disarms and rebuffs Harry, revealing himself as the Half-Blood Prince before escaping. Hagrid’s hut is set ablaze and saved. At the tower’s base, Dumbledore’s body is found, and the recovered locket is revealed as a fake containing a note from “R.A.B.”, overturning the night’s mission.
Summary
Shocked after witnessing Dumbledore’s fall, Harry breaks free and sprints after Snape, Draco, and their allies as fighting erupts in the corridors. He stuns a Death Eater, drives off Fenrir Greyback, and aids Ginny against Amycus while McGonagall, Lupin, Tonks, and Ron duel nearby. Neville is down but conscious; Alecto and an enormous blond Death Eater retreat.
Harry follows the fleeing Death Eaters through the castle, past panicked students, and out the blasted front doors toward the gates. On the grounds, Hagrid confronts them. In the ensuing clash, the blond Death Eater sets Hagrid’s hut on fire, trapping Fang. Harry duels Snape, who effortlessly blocks Harry’s spells, forbids Unforgivable Curses, and orders the others not to harm Harry, insisting he belongs to Voldemort.
When Harry tries to use a Prince spell, Snape furiously reveals he is the Half-Blood Prince and blasts Harry aside. Buckbeak dives at Snape, forcing him to flee; Snape Disapparates beyond the gates with the other Death Eaters. Hagrid rescues Fang, and he and Harry extinguish the burning hut.
Reeling, Harry tells Hagrid that Snape killed Dumbledore, which Hagrid refuses to believe. They return to the castle as staff and students gather under the Dark Mark. At the foot of the Astronomy Tower, Harry kneels by Dumbledore’s body, confirming the irreversibility of his death.
Harry finds the locket from the cave in Dumbledore’s robes. It is a decoy containing a note to Voldemort signed “R.A.B.” declaring the real Horcrux stolen and destined for destruction. Harry realizes their perilous mission in the cave weakened Dumbledore for nothing, and that the true Horcrux remains at large.
Who Appears
- Harry PotterChases Snape and Death Eaters, duels multiple foes, fails to stop Snape, finds the fake locket and R.A.B. note.
- Severus SnapeLeads Draco away, blocks Harry’s attacks, reveals he is the Half-Blood Prince, prevents Harry’s capture, and escapes.
- Rubeus HagridConfronts Death Eaters, hut set ablaze; rescues Fang; helps douse the flames; hears of Dumbledore’s death in disbelief.
- Draco MalfoyFlees with Snape after the tower incident, escaping Hogwarts amid the battle.
- Fenrir GreybackAttacks Harry in the corridor; is stunned and left behind as the fight rages.
- Alecto CarrowRetreats down the corridor under attack as Hogwarts defenders push back.
- Amycus CarrowDuels Ginny, is blasted aside by Harry, then flees with the others.
- Enormous blond Death EaterDuelist who creates chaos, sets Hagrid’s hut on fire, later escapes at Snape’s command.
- Ginny WeasleyFights Amycus in the corridor as Harry intervenes; part of the defense of Hogwarts.
- Professor Minerva McGonagallDuels Death Eaters in the corridors, driving them back during the retreat.
- Remus LupinFights Death Eaters during the castle skirmish, helping to contain the chaos.
- Nymphadora TonksBattles a powerful opponent, contributing to the defense amid exploding masonry.
- Neville LongbottomInjured but conscious on the floor; confirms Snape and Malfoy passed through.
- FangTrapped in Hagrid’s burning hut and rescued; later howls as grief spreads.
- BuckbeakSwoops on Snape, forcing him to break off and flee toward the gates.
- Ernie MacmillanHufflepuff student briefly encountered amid castle confusion as Harry gives chase.